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Photo of Samson's Arctic Hercules. Courtesy of Michelle Jackson. IG: chicojapanesespitz
The Japanese Spitz breed is beautiful both on the outside and the inside. These super chill sweethearts are an absolute joy for any canine lover, as they make particularly excellent family dogs, as well as boasting a wonderfully elegant look and thick snowy white coat that is sure to turn heads at the local dog park.
But these pups aren't only incredibly loyal and full of endless love, they also have a keen sense of adventure. That's why this breed is particularly popular among pet parents who love to travel or go on load road trips, with a furry companion by their side.
The Japanese Spitz makes a delightful companion breed, with their pure hearts of gold, their irresistibly charming personality and sense of humor to match. As they're so eager to learn and ready to follow you anywhere, Japanese Spitz dogs are truly a standout breed.
We are going to look closer at this regal little dog, checking out the characteristics of the breed, their history, how to look after them, as well as how to find one of your very own and introduce them into your home.
Lifespan
10 - 14 years
Size
Small
Weight
10-25 pounds
Height
12-15 inches
Colors
White
Size of home
Due to their small size, the Japanese Spitz can adapt comfortably to a smaller living environment, as long as they have access to sufficient daily exercise. They are known to make excellent roadside companions, often being a favorite amongst pet parents who enjoy travel.
Exercise
The breed is considered to have a moderate amount of energy, so daily exercise lasting between 30 minutes to an hour is sufficient to keep them happy and healthy. Walks are of course an excellent stimulative and socializing activity for your dog, and they may also enjoy other energizing activities such as playing fetch or other ball games in the garden or a park space.
Grooming
The breed has thick white fur which is surprisingly easy to maintain - regular brushing is recommended to remove mats and tangles, and like many long-haired breeds, they may require hygiene trims around their rear end to stop things getting messy.
Of course, dirt will show up much easier on a white coat, and so after particularly muddy adventures, you may need to give them a bath to keep them looking clean. Their undercoat will shed twice a year, at which time daily brushing is a must to remove excess hair.
Photo of Samson's Arctic Hercules. Courtesy of Michelle Jackson. IG: chicojapanesespitz
The Japanese Spitz breed is known for being an excellent family dog, as they tend to get on well with children and other animals if socialized properly from a young age. They are pleasant in temperament, friendly and loyal to those they love, having something of a protective streak and an endearing sense of courage when it comes to their pack.
They thrive when with their humans, and so wherever you go, they will likely follow - whether to the local park or on a hiking trip, these eager balls of fluff just want to spend time with you.
The breed is super adaptable and will happily live in an apartment or smaller house environment, and many even love going on road trips! However, these pups like to stay warm, and while they won’t say no to the odd adventure, they love to be indoors and get snuggly.
Whilst from their look, you’d think the Japanese Spitz is a breed that has been around for centuries—with their regal elegance—they are, in fact, considered to be a relatively modern breed.
While the complete breed history of the Japanese Spitz dog is somewhat unknown due to records being destroyed during World War 2, it is thought that they were bred from the white German Spitz in 1920, after the breed was brought to Japan from China and Siberia.
Other breeds that are said to have influenced the Japanese Spitz as we know it today include the White Russian Spitz and the American Eskimo Dog too. The process of breeding was said to have been to deliberately create a smaller, more compact version of the Samoyed (which we can totally see!) but with a more resilient coat which would be better suited to Japan’s climate.
Photo of Samson's Arctic Hercules. Courtesy of Michelle Jackson. IG: chicojapanesespitz
The Japanese Spitz was later exhibited for the first time in 1921 in Tokyo, while it was by the late 1930s that the breed became standardized and the Japanese Kennel Club (JKC) officially recognized the breed in 1948.
Only in the 1950s did the breed gain popularity in Europe and Australia. But—fun fact—the breed is still not officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), due to it being too similar to already classified breeds such as the American Eskimo Dog, and it’s instead classified under the Foundation Stock Service in the USA.
But don’t despair Japanese Spitz lovers—as there’s hope yet! The AKC may come to recognize the breed if it’s seen to become more established and also grows to be more notably differentiated from other breeds.
Photo of Samson's Arctic Hercules. Courtesy of Michelle Jackson. IG: chicojapanesespitz
The breed has a truly unique and elegant look which makes them unmistakable against other breeds. With a pure white coat that almost looks like they are sporting a lion’s mane, these pups are quite a sight to behold.
Their delicate, fox-like faces have a long snout and a mouth that always seems to be smiling, and as you travel down you will see dainty little feet sticking out under the reels of fluff. Their tails curl up in an impressive flourish of fur, and their stance is often alert as if they are ready to jump into action at a moment’s notice, be it to protect their humans or put their all into playtime.
They give off an almost wolf-like air, with soft pointed ears that stick straight up, they want to hear everything you have to say. These sweet companions will always have your back, and they will look stunning while doing it!
Japanese Spitz are family favorites due to their friendly and easy-going nature, as well as their adaptability and love of both affection and adventure. They make an excellent playmate for children and often get on well with other animals, making for a harmonious household, provided they have been effectively socialized.
They are sociable by nature and are also pretty courageous when it comes to protecting those they love - they’re not afraid to make some noise if they need to! These dogs have a high level of intelligence, making them super responsive to training, and this paired with their eagerness to please makes for a joyful and easily trainable dog who just wants to be at your side.
It is worth noting that while their watchdog abilities are impressive, they do have a tendency to bark and also may be particularly wary of strangers, so making sure they are socialized from a young age will help minimize this anxiety. They also struggle to be alone, so they are best suited to families or individuals who have plenty of time to spend with them, who won’t leave them for long periods on their own, and who perhaps can take their dog with them to work or on excursions.
Photo of Samson's Arctic Hercules. Courtesy of Michelle Jackson. IG: chicojapanesespitz
These smart little darlings are intelligent and often respond very well to training, a particularly helpful trait if they are going to be around children or taken into public places more often.
Like with any dog, it is important to find the right positive motivation for your Japanese Spitz to encourage them to learn commands - each dog is different, and so some may respond best when given treats, others may prefer fuss and cuddles, while others may like their reward to be in the form of their favorite toy or a burst of playtime.
If you want a dog that is good at learning tricks, this breed can offer that. These agile pups have been found to excel in rally and agility sports, and their playful nature and eagerness to please lends itself well to more advanced training.
Socialization is vital for the Japanese Spitz, as while they generally have a friendly and sociable temperament, they can be wary around strangers and unknown environments. Getting them used to these things from a young age will avoid prolonged shyness or anxiety, as well as help to decrease unwanted barking behaviors in the long run.
With smaller dog breeds, it can be tempting to carry them wherever you go, but it is important that they learn to navigate the world for themselves, and walking them on a lead will help them gain confidence, whilst also allowing them to face the unfamiliar head on.
Looking at the Japanese Spitz, you may be thinking how on earth are you supposed to maintain such a thick coat? Believe it or not, this breed is surprisingly low maintenance when it comes to grooming, only needing a weekly brush when they are not in their twice-yearly shedding season.
When their coat begins to shed, their undercoat will start to come away, which usually takes a few weeks, at which time more regular brushing will be needed to keep their fluff from taking over your floors and furniture.
Dogs with long fur can require hygiene trims to keep their back ends clear of mess, and so if you find your dog is suffering from more than a few toilet mishaps because of their fur, it might be worth booking them into a groomer who can keep on top of the issue with regular trims.
Like most dogs, you will need to keep your Japanese Spitz’s nails trimmed to avoid discomfort from overgrowing - this can be done every or every other week as needed. Ear hygiene is something that sometimes gets missed in a dog’s grooming routine, and checking your dog’s ears for dirt or infection will allow you to clean it and get treatment quicker should it be needed.
This breed is more prone to dental disease, meaning that their oral hygiene must be a priority - brushing their teeth two to three times a week will keep plaque and bacteria buildup at bay, and it is important to get their teeth checked professionally every year.
A Japanese Spitz should be fed on a high-quality breed and age-appropriate dog food - they may prefer kibbles, wet food, or a mix of both. Depending on whether your dog suffers from any allergies or food intolerances, it might be worth consulting with your vet to ensure that their diet is providing them with all essential nutrients if they are limited by certain food requirements.
Most dogs will try and eat everything they can, and if food is there, they may eat it even if they aren’t hungry. Portioning your dog’s meals not only helps to manage their weight and maintain good nutrition and energy levels, but it is also an important part of teaching them routine and giving them structure throughout the day.
Some dog breeds are more predisposed to certain health issues, and as a pet owner it is important to be aware of the diseases and conditions that can affect your pup:
The Japanese Spitz breed can be more prone to dental issues, such as dental calculus and gingivitis if their oral hygiene isn’t properly maintained. Plaque and bacteria can build up, leading to gum inflammation, bad breath, tooth decay, and serious abscesses, which can be both painful and even dangerous to your dog’s health if left untreated.
The best way to treat dental disease is to prevent it, and that starts right from word go - when your dog is young, try and get them into a routine where you brush their teeth several times a week, alongside yearly professional checkups to treat any unseen issues before they progress.
An inherited musculoskeletal disorder that causes muscular pain, a lack of coordination, an intolerance to exercise, as well as hypersalivation, and difficulty chewing.
Sadly, there is no cure for this progressive condition, and while Japanese Spitz dogs will likely start to present with symptoms around 10-12 weeks old, these pups often pass away by the time they reach a year. You can enquire with your breeder or shelter before you bring your dog home whether their parent dogs have undergone genetic testing to check that the issue won’t be inherited by the puppies.
A condition in which a dog’s kneecap moves, or ‘luxates’, out of place, also known as a kneecap dislocation, which can vary in severity from dog to dog. This is a condition that is fairly common in a lot of canine breeds, however it is extremely uncomfortable nonetheless.
The symptoms of patellar luxation in dogs usually present as an intermittent limp, a hunching of the lower back, their back legs may appear bowlegged whilst standing, and you may also notice that you hear a pop or crack when they bend their knees. Depending on how severe the issue is, your vet may prescribe anti-inflammatories, exercise restrictions, or in some cases, surgery may be required.
A serious and potentially fatal condition that results in a dog’s inability to clot their blood, meaning that excessive bleeding if injured is more likely.
This condition will likely only become evident if your dog gets injured or has to undergo surgery, at which time symptoms such as excessive external or internal bleeding, bloody diarrhea, or lots of bruising will present themselves.
The Japanese Spitz is a fairly well-rounded breed that can adapt to most environments and gets along with pretty much anybody. They are often recommended as family dogs due to their playful nature and affinity with children and other animals. These pups can adapt to an apartment or smaller house, as well as also being a favorable road trip companion for avid travelers.
Their friendliness and sweet, loyal nature make them a pleasant and easy-going choice for dog owners of all levels and abilities, however, it is important to recognize that this breed doesn’t like being alone, and so will need a home where they receive fairly constant company, either through a work-from-home environment or an owner’s ability to take them with them during the day.
While adopting a puppy from a shelter is often preferred due to the high volume of dogs that need rehoming, the Japanese Spitz is a much rarer breed that also tends to produce smaller litters, therefore it will be fairly unlikely that your local shelter will house puppies of this breed.
It is vital to only buy from reputable breeders who will allow you to come and visit your puppy in person before bringing it home. This process not only lets you see if you and your puppy have a bond, but it also allows you to see the state of the living conditions that they have been raised in, whether the puppy looks healthy and happy, and to ask the breeder directly any questions about the health and vaccination status of both the pup and it’s parents.
We would always recommend taking a friend or another member of the family with you to visit your puppy before buying, especially if you have a family with children, to make sure that everyone is happy with the choice.
We already know that these gorgeous dogs are something of a rare find, however, should you be able to find a breeder who has Japanese Spitz puppies for sale, the price for these pups can sit anywhere between $1000 and $2500.
And this is just the initial cost - vaccinations and microchipping, pet insurance, and surprise vet bills, as well as the basics like pet food, bedding, and toys and add-ons like grooming and training sessions, can all become quite expensive, and so you must be sure that you are in a situation to financially support and care for your dog before committing.
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